Health Trends in the UK Workforce
A joint report by Opinium and Vitality highlights major shifts in the health of the UK workforce over the past decade. While binge drinking has declined, challenges such as rising obesity and poor mental health are becoming more pressing.
Key Findings:
- Obesity on the Rise: Obesity rates among UK employees have increased by 51% since 2014, with a 55% rise among those under 35. Inactivity affects 37% of employees, while 56% report unhealthy diets.
- Mental Health Concerns: Anxiety and depression cases have risen by 75% since 2014, with 52% of employees citing financial concerns and 15% experiencing workplace burnout. Depression rates have more than doubled for the “sandwich generation” (ages 35–49).
- Decline in Binge Drinking: Excessive alcohol consumption has fallen by 27% over the past decade, marking a positive trend.
- Productivity Losses: Average lost productivity has surged from 23 days in 2014 to 50 days in 2023, with presenteeism accounting for 90% of the loss.
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